Two die after falling into open drains

A woman and a child died in separate incidents after falling into open, waterlogged drains in Gazipur and Cumilla on Sunday amid heavy rainfall, our local correspondents reported.

In Gazipur, a woman died after falling into an uncovered drain that was submerged in rainwater in the Bhogra Bypass area under Gazipur City Corporation in the evening.

The deceased was identified as Nazma Khatun, 26, from Baladanga area of Satkhira, said Sabuj Hasan, duty officer of Basan Police Station.

While returning home, Nazma reportedly stepped into the waterlogged area, fell into the drain and was swept away by the strong current.

On information, firefighters rushed to the scene and found her body after searching for 40 minutes, said Harun Or Rashid, officer-in-charge of the police station.

She was taken to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital, where the doctor declared her dead, the OC added.

In a similar incident in Cumilla, an eight-year old girl died after falling into a drain submerged in rainwater while returning home with her mother at night.

The deceased, Smriti, was the daughter of Billal Hossain of the Kaliajur Badarpur area.

Locals said Smriti suddenly slipped from her mother’s hand and fell into the roadside drain and was swept away by strong current flowing through it.

Locals recovered her body after 20 minutes of searching. She was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Contacted, Sayem Ahmed Bhuiyan, executive engineer of Cumilla City Corporation, described the incident as unfortunate.

“We are not avoiding our responsibility, but residents should also be careful in such situation. We are deeply saddened by the incident,” he said.